If I took a pachkhan at night but I can’t remember if it was for porshi fast or saddhaporshi fast can I cancel it and take a new pachkhan very early in the morning before I get out of bed?
Yes, in many Jain traditions you may cancel an uncertain/forgotten previous pachkhan and take a fresh pachkhan, but it should be done properly and sincerely, not casually.
A simple guideline:
- If you truly cannot remember whether it was porshi or saddhaporshi, and the earlier sankalp is unclear, then first mentally renounce the previous uncertainty and take a new, clear pachkhan.
- Take the new pachkhan before doing any activity of the day, and before getting out of bed if possible is very good for maintaining purity and discipline.
- When you take it again, be certain about the exact fast type you are taking.
- If you are in doubt, it is safer to follow the lesser assumption in observance only if your tradition or guru advises that, but the cleanest approach is to re-take it clearly with proper awareness.
In Jain practice, the main point is:
- sincerity
- clarity
- faithfulness to the vow
- avoiding negligence
So, yes, you can cancel the unclear one and take a new, clearly remembered pachkhan early in the morning, but do it with full awareness and respect.
For exact practice, different sangh and guru-parampara may have small differences.